Aftermarket controls for vehicles retrofitted with a non-original powertrain

Abstract

Aftermarket control kits, systems, and methods are operable for use in a vehicle retrofitted with a non-original powertrain having an OEM engine control module and without an OEM body control module. A kit includes, for example, an aftermarket control module operably connectable to the non-original powertrain via a vehicle communication bus in the retrofitted vehicle without the body control module, and the aftermarket control module is adapted to receive control signals from a driver activatable control switch and provide data via the vehicle communication bus so that the non-original powertrain without the body control module is operable to operate the vehicle in response to the driver activatable control signals. The aftermarket control module may be an aftermarket cruise control module, an aftermarket manumatic transmission control module, or a combination aftermarket cruise control module and manumatic transmission control module.

1 . An aftermarket control kit for use in a vehicle retrofitted with a non-original powertrain, the non-original powertrain configured for operation with an engine control module, a transmission control module, and a body control module, said kit operable to effect control of the non-original powertrain without the body control module in the retrofitted vehicle, said kit comprising:
 an aftermarket control module operably connectable to the non-original powertrain via a vehicle communication bus in the retrofitted vehicle without the body control module; and   said aftermarket control module adapted to receive control signals from a driver activatable control switch and provide data via the vehicle communication bus so that the non-original powertrain without the body control module is operable to operate the vehicle in response to the driver activatable control signals.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein said aftermarket control module comprises an aftermarket cruise control module; and
 said aftermarket cruise control module operably connectable to the engine control module of the non-original powertrain via the vehicle communication bus in the retrofitted vehicle without the body control module; and 
 said aftermarket cruise control module adapted to receive said control signals from said control switch comprising a cruise control switch and provide data via the vehicle communication bus to the engine control module so that the engine control module of the non-original powertrain without the body control module is operable to control an electronic throttle actuator of the non-original powertrain to operate the vehicle under cruise control. 
 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 2  wherein said aftermarket cruise control module is operably connectable to a brake pedal in the vehicle, and said aftermarket cruise control module adapted to disengage the vehicle operating under cruise control in response to the driver engaging the brake. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein said aftermarket control module comprises an aftermarket manumatic transmission control module; and
 said aftermarket manumatic transmission control module operably connectable to the transmission control module of the non-original powertrain via the vehicle communication bus in the retrofitted vehicle without the body control module; and 
 said aftermarket manumatic transmission control module adapted to receive said control signals from said control switch comprising a gear control switch and provide data via the vehicle communication bus to the transmission control module so that the transmission control module of the non-original powertrain without the body control module is operable to operate the vehicle under driver control of the gear selection. 
 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the vehicle comprises an older vehicle and the non-original powertrain comprises a newer powertrain. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 1  further comprising the control switch operably connectable to said aftermarket control module and positionable in the vehicle for access by a driver in the vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 6  wherein said control switch is wired or wirelessly connectable to the aftermarket control module. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein said aftermarket control module is adapted for use with a plurality of different manufacturer non-original powertrains. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 1  further comprising a connector configured to connect to the vehicle communication bus of the vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 9  wherein said connector is configured to releasably connect to a diagnostic connector connected to the vehicle communication bus. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein said aftermarket control module is operably connectable to an ignition switch in the vehicle for powering said aftermarket control module. 
     
     
         12 . An aftermarket control system for use in a vehicle retrofitted with a non-original powertrain, the non-original powertrain configured for operation with an engine control module, a transmission control module, and a body control module, said system operable to effect control of the non-original powertrain without the body control module in the retrofitted vehicle, said system comprising:
 an aftermarket control module operably connectable to the non-original powertrain via a vehicle communication bus in the retrofitted vehicle without the body control module;   a driver activatable control switch operably connectable to said aftermarket control module and positionable in the vehicle for access by a driver in the vehicle;   a connector configured to connect said aftermarket control module to the vehicle communication bus of the vehicle; and   said aftermarket control module adapted to receive control signals from said driver activatable control switch and provide data via the vehicle communication bus so that the non-original powertrain without the body control module is operable to operate the vehicle in response to the driver activatable control signals.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said aftermarket control module comprises an aftermarket cruise control module; and
 said aftermarket cruise control module operably connectable to the engine control module of the non-original powertrain via the vehicle communication bus in the retrofitted vehicle without the body control module; 
 said driver activatable control switch comprises a cruise control switch; and 
 said aftermarket cruise control module adapted to receive said control signals from said cruise control switch and provide data via the vehicle communication bus to the engine control module so that the engine control module of the non-original powertrain without the body control module is operable to control an electronic throttle actuator of the non-original powertrain to operate the vehicle under cruise control. 
 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein said aftermarket cruise control module is operably connectable to a brake pedal in the vehicle, and said aftermarket cruise control module adapted to disengage the vehicle operating under cruise control in response to the driver engaging the brake. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said aftermarket control module comprises an aftermarket manumatic transmission control module; and
 said aftermarket manumatic transmission control module operably connectable to the transmission control module of the non-original powertrain via the vehicle communication bus in the retrofitted vehicle without the body control module; 
 said driver activatable control switch comprises a gear control switch; and 
 said aftermarket manumatic transmission control module adapted to receive said control signals from said gear control switch and provide data via the vehicle communication bus to the transmission control module so that the transmission control module of the non-original powertrain without the body control module is operable to operate the vehicle under driver control of the gear selection. 
 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising the non-original powertrain. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising the vehicle. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 providing the aftermarket control kit of  claim 1 ;   operably connecting the aftermarket control module to the non-original powertrain in the vehicle; and   connecting a control switch in the vehicle to the aftermarket control module.   
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 providing the aftermarket control system of  claim 12 ;   operably connecting the aftermarket control module to the non-original powertrain in the vehicle; and   connecting the control switch in the vehicle to the aftermarket control module.   
     
     
         20 . A method for effecting control in a vehicle retrofitted with a non-original powertrain, the non-original powertrain configured for operation with an engine control module, a transmission control module, and a body control module, the method operable to effect control of the vehicle retrofitted with the non-original powertrain without the body control module, the method comprising:
 receiving, by one or more processor, one or more control signals in response to driver activation of a control switch; and   forwarding, by the one or more processor, data via a vehicle communication bus so that the non-original powertrain without the body control module is operable to operate the vehicle in response to the driver activatable control signals.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein:
 the receiving comprises receiving, by the one or more processor, the one or more control signals in response to driver activation of a cruise control switch; and 
 the forwarding comprises forwarding, by the one or more processor, the data via the vehicle communication bus to an engine control module so that the engine control module is operable to control an electronic throttle actuator of the non-original powertrain to operate the vehicle under cruise control. 
 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising receiving, by the one or more processor, a signal from a brake switch, and forwarding, by the one or more processor, data via the vehicle communication bus to the engine control module for disengaging cruise control. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20  wherein:
 the receiving comprises receiving, by the one or more processor, the one or more control signals in response to driver activation of a gear control switch; and 
 he forwarding comprises forwarding, by the one or more processor, the data to a transmission control module so that the transmission control module is operable to operate the vehicle under driver control of the gear selection.